Podcast Episode 87: Canada's Top Travel Rewards & Cash Back Credit Cards 2022

It's that time of year again! Time for our annual travel rewards and cash back credit card rankings. In this the 14th edition of the travel rewards rankings and 6th edition of cash back rankings we take a look at the best cards to rack up points, miles, and cash back, receiving benefits and more. On the travel side we provide details on the top overall cards, the best travel points cards, no fee cards, hybrid cards, airline cards and once again Ultra Premium credit cards. For cash back we look at the top 5 cards overall. Listen in to find to find out all the details behind Canada's most trusted rankings! Check out the Top Travel Cards here and the Top Cash Back Cards here

Canada’s Top Travel & Cash Back Rewards Credit Cards 2022

We decided to something a little different this year and that's to release our Top Travel Rewards Credit Card and Top Cash Back Credit Card rankings at the same time! The reason being is that travel still may not be on the radar for many Canadians due to the pandemic which means for some a switch in their loyalty program strategy. There are those who are itching to get away once it is safer to do so and they are racking up the points (or are looking to rack up the points) for that future travel. For others it has meant a focus in cash back and more liquid rewards rather than travel. It is this even split in strategies that led us to the decision to reveal the Top Travel & Cash Back Rewards Credit Cards at the same time. By doing so Canadians can make an informed decision on how they want to be rewarded for their credit card spending.

Podcast Episode 76 - Canada's Top Travel Rewards Credit Cards for 2021

It's that time of year again! Time for our annual travel rewards credit card rankings. In this 13th edition of the rankings we take a look at using your cards to rack up the best points and miles for travel down the road. We delve into the top overall cards, the best travel points cards, no fee cards, as well as hybrid and airline cards. Plus we add a new category this year - Ultra Premium credit cards. Listen in to find to find out all the details behind Canada's most trusted rankings! View the full rankings here.

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Canada’s Top Travel Rewards Credit Cards 2021 Revealed - Time to rack up the points for future travel

 
Travel may not be on the radar for Canadians due to the ongoing pandemic but people are itching to get away once it is safe to do so. That means most Canadians are planning for the long term when it comes to travel and now is the time to start thinking about collecting as many points and miles possible for those future travels. The easiest way to build up those points balances is through credit card spend and that plays a key factor in determining the best travel rewards cards in Canada For a fourth straight year, the American Express Cobalt Card takes the top prize in Reward Canada’s Travel Rewards Credit Cards Ranking as it is the best card to use to build up a flexible travel rewards balance that provides big redemption value. For over 13 years Rewards Canada has been helping Canadians sift through the more than 70 travel rewards credit card offerings with its annual ranking. The rankings can be found at rewardscanada.ca/TopTravelCreditCard2021

Podcast Episode 64 - Canada's Top Travel Rewards Credit Cards for 2020

 

Episode 64 - February 3, 2020
Canada's Top Travel Rewards Credit Cards for 2020

 

This is a special week! We look at and discuss our 2020 Top Travel Rewards Credit Card rankings!
Find out some of the details behind the rankings, the cards that came out on top and more!
You can find the full rankings here!

 

Click Here to download the podcast (mp3)

This episode is proudly sponsored by EQ Bank
EQ Bank, the digital arm of Equitable Bank, recently partnered with TransferWise in a first of its kind collaboration in Canada that offers customers a better way to send money abroad. Translation -- fast international money transfers that are up to 8x cheaper‡. For more details, please visit eqbank.ca
 

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• Canada's Top Travel Rewards Credit Cards for 2020

 

 

 

January 28 Update: RBC Rewards launches new website, more Marriott Bonvoy stay bonuses in Canada and the Top Travel Rewards Credit Cards for 2020

RBC Rewards has launched their new website that has been promoted recently on the old version of the site! It is easier to navigate with the fresh new look and they promise to have more promotions and offers with this launch. Most of the site is working although I did get the occasional error. The first thing I did with the new site however was to check the Avion Air Travel Redemption chart to make sure a change wasn't snuck in in the revamp (programs tend to like to do that) and I am happy to report no changes in the reward chart at this time. All points rates and max dollar values remain the same. Check out the new site here.

Avion Air Travel Redemption schedule remains the same

Still having some issues

It also appears that certain promotions will not show up for anyone who visits the site without signing in:

And only having the WestJet RBC World Mastercard means I can't log in to the site

Above images via RBC

Yesterday we posted about eight new Marriott bonus point offers here in Canada - well we've come across two more:

Halifax
2,500 bonus Bonvoy points PER NIGHT for stays at the Courtyard or Residence Inn Halifax Dartmouth. Full details & online booking Until Feb 22, 20

Kamloops
4,000 bonus Bonvoy points PER NIGHT for up to two nights at the Delta Hotels Kamloops. Full details & online booking Until Mar 6, 20

Above image via Marriott

And if you missed it somehow - we released our 12th annual Canada's Top Travel Rewards Credit Cards today! Check them out here

Posts since our last update:

• IHG Rewards Club nixes PointBreaks - gone temporarily or forever?
  Yesterday when we posted about IHG Rewards Club's new buy points bonus we mentioned anticipation of the newest set…
• Canada’s Top Travel Rewards Credit Cards for 2020 revealed - It's the calm before the storm
  The more things change, the more they stay the same, at least that is the case in the travel…
• IHG Rewards Club – Up to a 75% bonus when you buy points until February 27 (think new PointBreaks list coming soon)
  IHG Rewards Club is once again running a buy points bonus! Once again it is a  tiered offer but…
• Has the price to buy Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles been increased?
  I am cross posting this from our global site, FrequentFlyerBonuses to see if any of the Rewards Canada community have…
• January 27 Update: Earn 40,000 British Airways Executive Club Avios for free, Air Canada waivers for travel to China & updates to Amex Offers
  Last Friday we added two new credit card offers to our website from HSBC and RBC for their World…

Travel Deals

KLM's Dream Deals seat sale is back and is offering some great economy class and business class fares between Canada and Europe and beyond. Book by Feb 10 for travel May 7 to Oct 15. Find out more here.

Remember to visit Rewards Canada's Travel Booking site to book travel directly with many of your favourite airlines, hotels and more!

Canadian Bonus Offers

N/A

Other Bonus Offers

Air New Zealand Airpoints
- Triple Airpoints Dollars for stays at Cordis Hotels in China, Hong Kong and Auckland. More... Book by Feb 16 for stays until Mar 31, 20

Best Western Rewards
- Double Rewards Points or Airline Miles for stays Friday thru Sundays at the Best Western Eurostop Orebro. More... Until Mar 31, 20
- Double Rewards Points or Airline Miles for stays at the Best Western Plus Hawthorne Terrace Hotel Chicago. More... Until Mar 5, 20
- Double Rewards Points or Airline Miles for stays of 2 or more nights at the Surestay Plus Hotel By Best Western Albuquerque I40 Eubanks. More... Until Feb 29, 20

Sonesta Hotels Travel Pass
- Double Travel Pass Points per stay at the The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel San Francisco. More... Book by Mar 1 for stays until Aug 31, 20
- Double Travel Pass Points per stay at the Sonesta Fort Lauderdale Beach. More... Book by Mar 15 for stays until Mar 31, 20
- 500 Bonus Travel Pass Points per night for stays of 2+ nights Sunday-Thursday at the Royal Sonesta New Orleans. More... Until Dec 29, 20
- Double Travel Pass Points for stays of 14+ nights at the Sonesta ES Suites Andover Boston or the Sonesta ES Suites Auburn Hills. More... Until Mar 31, 20
- Double Travel Pass Points for stays of 14+ nights at the Sonesta ES Suites Oklahoma City More... Until Mar 31, 20
- Double Travel Pass Points for stays of 14+ nights at the Sonesta ES Suites Malvern Valley Forge More... Until Mar 31, 20
- Double Travel Pass Points for stays of 14+ nights at the Sonesta ES Suites Houston Galleria. More... Until Mar 31, 20

Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus
- Earn up to Triple ROP Miles + 600 bonus miles on Hertz rentals of 3 or more days in USA, Canada, Europe*, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. More... Book by Feb 29 for rentals until Mar 31, 20

World of Hyatt
- 500 Bonus World of Hyatt points for stays at the Hyatt Place Changchun Jingyue. More... Jan 31 - Apr 29, 20
- 500 Bonus World of Hyatt points for stays at the Hyatt Regency Manchester or the Hyatt House Manchester. More... Until Apr 29, 20
- 500 Bonus World of Hyatt points for stays at the Hyatt Centric 39th & 5th New York More... Feb 18 - May 30, 20
- 500 Bonus World of Hyatt points for stays at the Hyatt Place Amarillo - West. More... Jan 31 - Apr 29, 20
- 500 Bonus World of Hyatt points for stays at the Hyatt Centric Old Town Alexandria More... Jan 31 - Apr 29, 20



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Canada’s Top Travel Rewards Credit Cards for 2020 revealed - It's the calm before the storm

The more things change, the more they stay the same, at least that is the case in the travel rewards credit card industry. For a third straight year, the American Express Cobalt Card takes the top prize in Reward Canada’s Travel Rewards Credit Cards Ranking. For over 12 years Rewards Canada has been helping Canadians sift through the more than 70 travel rewards credit card offerings with its annual ranking. The rankings can be found at rewardscanada.ca/topcc2020 

This year’s ranking reflects a holding pattern as the industry braces for what will likely be a seismic event; the unveiling of Air Canada’s new loyalty program.

“This is the calm before the storm,” says Patrick Sojka, founder of RewardsCanada.ca. “We know that Air Canada will announce their plan for Aeroplan in the comings months as they reveal their new reward program that will launch this summer. This should spark a strong reaction from competitors and ultimately translate into better consumer offers.”

In addition to the Cobalt Card taking home “Best Overall Travel Reward Card’ honours, the remaining five categories that cards are ranked in are: Travel Points with annual fee, Travel Rewards Credit Card with no annual fee, Hybrid (flexible currency), Airline and Coalition card. The credit cards are evaluated by key factors including cost, co-brand partnerships, rate-of-return, benefits and redemption options.

And The Winners Are:

Top Travel Rewards Card overall

American Express Cobalt Card

Travel Points Credit Card
Scotiabank Gold American Express Card

No Fee Travel Rewards Credit Card
mbna Rewards Platinum Plus Mastercard

Hybrid Card (Flexible Currency)
American Express Cobalt Card

Airline Card
WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard

Coalition Program Card
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card

Other highlights include the Scotiabank Gold American Express card, which thanks to a major revamp catapulted it to Top Travel Points Credit Card. The card saw an increase in points earning and sets itself apart with its No Foreign Transaction fees. Another notable highlight is the enhanced American Express Air Miles Platinum Card, it is now the strongest earning AIR MILES card in the market which moves it ahead of the BMO AIR MILES World Elite Mastercard in the coalition category.

“The purpose of our annual ranking is to make choosing the right travel reward card easier”, adds Sojka. “It’s also about staying on top of trends and keeping Canadians informed of how industry changes may impact their enjoyment of these cards.”

The Top Travel Rewards Card feature, with complete rankings and background, can be found online at: rewardscanada.ca/topcc2020

Podcast Episode 51 is here! We discuss Canada's Top Travel Rewards Credit Cards for 2019

Episode 51 - January 29, 2019
Canada's Top Travel Rewards Credit Cards for 2019!

This is a special week! We look at and discuss our 2019 Top Travel Rewards Credit Card rankings! Find out some of the details behind the rankings, the cards that came out on top and more! You can find the full rankings here!

Click Here to download the podcast

Or download/subscribe via:

Links relating to this week's topic:
Canada's Top Travel Rewards Credit Cards for 2019!

January 23 Update: Canada's Top Travel Rewards Credit Cards 2019, Amex to Hilton Honors transfers are back, Royal Air Maroc extends mileage validity

The big news today is the release of our 11th annual Top Travel Rewards Credit Card rankings! If you haven't seen them yet you can find them right here! Overall 2018 was relatively quiet so there weren't any major changes in the rankings other than the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card taking top spot in the Travel Points Credit Card with annual fee category! For the most part I don't think we'll see any changes from 2019 to 2020 either. It will be 2020, when Air Canada reveals their new program (that will integrate Aeroplan) when we should see a some major shifting in the rankings!

Good news if you were planning on converting American Express Membership Rewards points to Hilton Honors. The online transfers are back! We reported this outage a few months ago as Amex was having some issues with it but that appears to be all fixed now. Find out more here.

 Similar to the news we brought you earlier this month from Turkish Miles&Smiles - the Royal Air Maroc Safar Flyer program has extended the validity of miles that were set to expire on December 31, 2018 by six months. You now have until June 30, 2019 to use them. Find out more here

Posts since our last update:

• Canada’s Top Travel Rewards Credit Cards Revealed for 2019!
  With more than 70 travel reward credit card options in Canada, it’s difficult to know which card is best.…
• Hilton Winter Sale - Save up to 25% on weekend stays in the UK, Europe, Middle East and Africa - Book by Jan 31
  A friendly reminder of Hilton's weekend sale where you can save up to 25% on stays in Europe, The…

Travel Deals
Cathay Pacific's New Year's sale sees them offering flights out of Vancouver to Southeast Asia for as little as $895 round trip. Book by Jan 31. Find out more here.

Royal Air Maroc has dropped prices on their Montreal-Casablanca route. You can fly round trip for as little as $750 all in. Book by Jan 25. Find out more here.

Marriott is offering 20% off best available rates when you stay 2+ nights Thursday-Sunday at 6 great locations in Toronto and Edmonton. Valid for stays until Feb 28, 19 . Full Details and online Booking

Hilton APAC Year End sale - Save up to 25% when you book by Feb 2 for stays until Sep 30, 2019!

Hilton Winter Sale - Save up to 25% on weekend stays in the UK, Europe, Middle East and Africa

Remember to visit Rewards Canada's Travel Booking site to book travel directly with many of your favourite airlines, hotels and more!

Canadian Bonus Offers
Air Canada Aeroplan
- 1,500 Bonus Aeroplan Miles when you book a Flight+Hotel package with Air Canada Vacations to Mexico or the Caribbean. More... Book by Feb 14 for travel Mar 1 - Dec 20, 19

Other Bonus Offers
Copa ConnectMiles
- 30% Bonus ConnectMiles on every hotel booking you make via ConnectMiles Hotels. More... Book by Feb 15 for stays until Mar 31, 19
- Earn up to 1,000 Bonus ConnectMiles when you rent a car at participating Alamo locations. More... Until Mar 31, 19
- Earn up to 1,000 Bonus ConnectMiles when you rent a car at participating National locations. More... Until Mar 31, 19

Ethiopian ShebaMiles
- Triple ShebaMiles for stays at Anantara Hotels and Resorts Worldwide. More... Until Feb 28, 20
- Triple ShebaMiles for stays at Avani Hotels and Resorts Worldwide. More... Until Feb 28, 20
- Triple ShebaMiles for stays at Tivoli Hotels and Resorts Worldwide. More... Until Feb 28, 20

Stash Hotel Rewards
- 500 Bonus Stash Rewards Points for stays in an upgraded room at the Perdido Beach Resort Orange Beach. More... Book by Feb 28 for stays Feb 1 - Mar 31, 19
- Double Stash Rewards Points for stays at The Essex, Vermont's Culinary Resort & Spa. More... Book by Mar 31 for stays until May 31, 19

TAP Portugal Miles&Go
- Double Miles&Go Miles on all qualiftying TAP Portugal flights worldwide. More... Book by Jan 27 for travel until Mar 31, 19

Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus
- 25% ROP Miles discount when you redeem for award flights between Bangkok and Kunming, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Xiamen, Shanghai or Beijing. More... Until Mar 31, 19
- Earn up to Triple ROP Miles for stays at participating Accor Hotels Worldwide. More... Until Mar 31, 19

Follow Rewards Canada:

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Canada’s Top Travel Rewards Credit Cards Revealed for 2019!

With more than 70 travel reward credit card options in Canada, it’s difficult to know which card is best. Rewards Canada’s 11th annual Travel Rewards Credit Card Ranking removes the guesswork by helping Canadians make informed decisions based on individual needs.

The Rewards Canada judging process organizes credit cards into 6 categories: Travel Points (with annual fee), No Fee Travel Rewards, Hybrid (flexible currency), Airline, Coalition Program, and Best Overall Card. The credit cards are evaluated by key factors including cost, co-brand partnerships, rate-of-return, benefits and redemption options.

And the winners are:

Top Overall Travel Rewards Credit Card
American Express Cobalt Card

Top Travel Points Credit Card (with annual fee)
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card

 Top No Fee Travel Rewards Credit Card

Scotiabank More Rewards Visa Card

 Top Hybrid (Flexible Points) Credit/Charge Card

American Express Cobalt Card

Top Airline Credit/Charge Card

WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard

 

Top Coalition  Program Credit Card

TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card

“The American Express Colbalt card remains this year’s top ranked card based on its superior earning potential and redemption options”, says Patrick Sojka, founder of RewardsCanada.ca. “This card may have been introduced as a ‘Millennial’ themed product but it should be the go-to-card of choice for any family.”

Other highlights include the emergence of the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card. This well-rounded card knocks its brethren, the Scotiabank Gold American Express card, from the top spot in the Travel Points (with annual fee) category with the introduction of a ‘no foreign transaction fee’. The card also features Priority Pass lounge access with 6 lounge visits plus the first additional card at no charge.

“One trend I hope more credit card companies embrace is doing away with foreign transaction fees. The foreign exchange is tough enough but adding an additional fee of up to 3% to process the transaction is a double whammy for many consumers.”

The Top Travel Rewards Card feature, with complete rankings and background, can be found online at: http://www.rewardscanada.ca/topcc2019/